Program Manager, Career & Entrepreneurship

About the role

The Career & Entrepreneurship Program Manager is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing Native Hawaiian youth-centered programming that supports career readiness, workforce development, and entrepreneurial thinking for participants ages 12–24. This role is housed at the Liliʻuokalani Center (LC) and coordinates accessible, relevant, and engaging opportunities that empower youth to explore personal strengths, identify meaningful career and entrepreneurial pathways, and build practical life and business skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Life Readiness Director and team to design a robust suite of creative, innovative programmatic offerings that meet current and future trends in workplace skills.
• Collaborate with LC and LT leadership to increase program integration, ensuring that wraparound supports are built into all programming to meet individual needs based on education, history, and health.
• Hire, train, and manage new and existing teammates, as appropriate.
• Lead teammates by modeling design thinking and creative problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead and co-lead workshops and programs as appropriate and necessary.
• Manage relevant certification programs according to industry standards and competencies in Hawaiʻi.
• Serve as a point person for all workforce, youth employment, and entrepreneurship partnerships and opportunities.
• Engage with state and local organizations focused on workforce development in Hawai’i.
• Identify, cultivate, and develop strong programmatic partnerships with local and national service providers, including potential colocation at LC as appropriate.
• Monitor internal and external metrics related to strategic plan benchmarks for workforce development.
• Lead/Support forums and workshops exploring employment and entrepreneurship in Hawai'i and the Pacific.
• Speak publicly about LC programming and assist with outreach and enrollment efforts.
• Develop a robust set of program offerings supporting participants in the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and the skills necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur.
• Ensure that programming emphasizes global citizenship balanced with deep understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, highlighting opportunities for learning and advancement for participants while also strengthening ties to local communities.
• Work collaboratively with Life Readiness Director to ensure appropriate staffing and supervision of all program spaces; provide program coverage as necessary.
• Participate in program planning, budget development, program iteration, and course/event evaluation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Graduate/MBA degree preferred) in field related to workforce/entrepreneurship programming for youth (business, finance, etc.).
• Understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, values, and history, with the ability to integrate these into programming.
• Experience with an organization focused on workforce development.
• 5+ years knowledge and experience with managing youth programs.
• 3 or more years managing program staff.
• Competency with employable skills software/platforms.
• Experience with startup incubator and business development programs.
• Deep knowledge of youth development and/or career counseling.

Job Competencies

• Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences.
• Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations.
• Mental And Physical Demands: Ability to lift 25lbs pounds. Requires frequent sitting, bending, standing, and movement.